Ragnar moved forward with long, confident strides, his massive frame rushing through the corridor with ease. Despite his pace, the two Ferans accompanying him struggled to keep up, their shorter steps quick and hurried as they stayed close behind.
Ragnar let out a loud laugh, the sound echoing through the hallway.
"Yes, yes, it is all thanks to the Order of Absolute," the Feran continued eagerly. "The news of what you have been doing these past four days is spreading everywhere."
He stopped in front of a large door and tilted his head slightly.
"Yes, my lord," the second Feran, one with bird-like features, replied quickly. "We have prepared everything as requested. Food, drinks, and warm water are all ready."
"That is also being handled, my lord," the bird-like Feran said with a bow. "A bronze statue in your image will be erected in the center of the capital within a week."
Ragnar’s grin widened even further.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The door closed behind him. The moment he was alone, his expression shifted slightly. Without wasting any time, he waved his hand, and a violet token appeared in his palm. He crushed it immediately.
From within, Vivi flew out.
Ragnar smirked.
"It’s alright," she replied. "There is some indigestion, but nothing I can’t handle."
Instead of moving, Vivi hovered closer to his face, her eyes narrowing slightly with curiosity.
Ragnar sighed.
Vivi went completely silent. She hovered right in front of him, staring directly into his eyes without blinking.
"You know what, Ragnar?"
"You are dumb."
Ragnar blinked.
"Vivi, you don’t—"
Ragnar opened his mouth, then closed it again, clearly caught off guard.
"Lady Vivi," she corrected immediately. "You know what? I should just go back and tell Billion everything."
"Hey, hey, wait—Lady Vivi, where are you going?" he said quickly. "Since you’re already here, you might as well do what you came for."
"What order? I wouldn’t dare," Ragnar replied hurriedly. "It’s a request. Please go ahead and take over the world core of this planet."
Then she sighed.
She closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, they glowed faintly.
In the next instant, she vanished in a burst of violet flame. The room fell silent.
"Damn it," he muttered. "Billion was right. Her mind is going haywire."
"Vivi is spiraling. I repeat, Vivi is spiraling. Proceed with caution."
"I knew it."
"She’s still a kid."
The world core floated there, spherical and glowing softly, spinning in place. The moment it sensed her presence, it trembled slightly.
Her head expanded again, growing unnaturally large as she opened her mouth and swallowed the core in one smooth motion. Then she remained there, floating quietly, digesting.
Nearly half an hour later, she returned to Ragnar’s room.
"I’m done," she said the moment she appeared. "But it will take some time to fully digest it. It was a weak core, by the way. So thank you for wasting my time."
Then, slowly, a grin returned to his face.
He cracked his knuckles and turned toward the massive dining table filled with food.
And with that he sat down to eat.
On another faraway planet, Lyrate sat comfortably on a reclining chair, one leg crossed over the other. A few feet in front of her, the small portal spun quietly in the air, its faint glow casting soft reflections across the room.
Her fingers tapped lightly against the armrest in a slow, rhythmic pattern, the only sound in an otherwise silent space. The curtains near the window fluttered gently, but even that seemed restrained, as if the room itself was careful not to disturb her.
"Where are you, birdie?" Lyrate muttered softly, her eyes fixed on the swirling opening.
Lyrate’s eyes met hers.
"Vivi," Lyrate said calmly.
Silence followed.
"I have already located the world core," Lyrate finally said, her tone casual, almost dismissive.
And before another word could be spoken she vanished. A burst of flame, and she was gone.
"What an arrogant bird," she murmured under her breath.
The world core floated before her. But this time she didn’t rush forward.
"Very soon, Lyrate... very soon," she muttered.
"Hihihihi—"
My voice cut into her mind instantly.
"Vivi," I said calmly, "both Vaythos and Abor just experienced minor earthquakes."
"Can you control your emotions a little?"
The fluctuations around her settled. I let out a small chuckle.
There was a pause.
"I don’t want to," I replied, amused, "but you’re projecting them directly into my mind when you don’t control them. You do know that, right?"
I smiled faintly.
"What? Who said I want red eyes?" she snapped instantly.
"See! I told you, you are reading my mind!"
"Liar."
Before I could respond again she dove forward and swallowed the world core whole.